Attention all witches, wizards, and muggles: the Harry Potter Store, themed as the fourth movie “The Goblet of Fire”, officially opened on April 10 on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. There are only two other stores that are located in London and New York City, all with different themes.
QR codes are given to scan at the front entrance of the store at 7 a.m. in order to gain access to the store at 9 a.m. When you return with your digital ticket and show the security, you are led into the store.
When first entering, I was met with an open golden egg in front of a moving mermaid mural. I could recognize this from the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, where Harry retrieves a golden egg from his dragon. From there, the interior design only escalates in the best way possible.
The most fascinating part of this store is the small details woven into decor and displays. I was astonished by all of the movie-accurate props like a cup with fur and a rat tail, recognizable from the second movie “The Chamber of Secrets”, Luna Lovegood’s red pair of sneakers hanging from the ceiling, and the goblet of fire burning a bright blue in the center of the store.
On the left hand side, I was introduced to merchandise from all four Hogwarts houses. With a wide variety of clothing items ranging from thirty to sixty five dollars, keychains, magnets, water bottles, and stuffed animals, every fan is sure to find something that peaks their interest.
There are robes, one hundred dollars each, and thorough costumes for every Hogwarts house, and a selection of different character’s wands that are thirty nine dollars each. Special wands featuring Horcruxes and house mascots are sold for forty four dollars each.
As I meandered through the immersive store, I was moved by the music following me. It was all scores from “The Goblet of Fire”, and it immediately made me even more enthralled.
Near the magical stuffed creatures section, where you can purchase stuffed animals of creatures from the series, is the sweets section of the store. They offered treats ranging from chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavored Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees chocolate, and of course Felix Felicis, otherwise known as Liquid Luck.
Along with candy, the store is also home to a butterbeer bar, where you can indulge in the butterscotch flavored treat and delectable butterbeer ice cream, with a flavor that seems magically infused inside it.
There is so much to see and admire about this store, and leaving was a sad fate. But knowing that I got to have a satisfying experience made me hopeful for another magical visit.
